Kat's My Hero

Hey,

Kat is my hero!!

Here is the song I was talking about in my previous post.

Just hit play to hear the song.

         

**A handful of my sweet readers have expressed concern regarding the nature of this song. Thank you so much for your inquiries and for caring, but I am not distraught, bitter or angry at any man or men in general. I simply thought this was a clever song written and sung by a fellow Norwegian! Y’all make me laugh!

I Eat Boys Like You for Breakfast

It's not every day that the National Public Radio offers up music selections which send me straight to the iTunes store, but this past Sunday I was intrigued by featured Norwegian Rock Musician Ida Maria and her sassy lyrics (see blog title).


What makes Ida most unique is that she is said to have the neurological phenomenon of synesthesia which means she envisions colors when she hears music. In NPR’s interview she said that when a concert comes out just as planned, all she can see is red. I wonder what it would be like if we all associated things (music, thoughts, feelings) with different colors. My creative mind goes wild at the thought!


So, on this rainy Tuesday, I highly recommend you pay the $0.99 and order up some sass. Here’s the YouTube link.


And yes, one day, I will figure out how to get video and music to embed within this blog.


Ahem...paging Kat!


Today is just not that day.

Fearless: Creative Pursuits

Although I studied journalism and English at Auburn, I was surrounded by visual artists. Ashley (then Dykes) Bell is one of my dear friends who inspired and moved me by her creativity and her courage to pursue a career in painting and drawing. Despite a shaky economy and the pressures of job security, Ashley continued to pursue her passion going on to earn a M.A. in painting and drawing at LSU. Her work, which often depicts place, is a spiritual reminder that we are only on earth temporarily. We toil and live out our days here in this world knowing that we have a permanent home in store for us in heaven.

Loose Thread on Canvas, Oil on Canvas, 55x44 inches, 2010, ($1,200)

In Ashley’s Words:

“Paul wrote in 2 Corinthans that we live in earthly tents which will eventually be destroyed and believers have an eternal home with God. Paul explains the burdens felt on Earth are temporary. His burdens caused him to groan to be clothed in his heavenly dwelling. Paul is a tent builder and lives mostly in tents on his travels. He uses this ordinary object as a metaphor for the human body because of its temporary nature. Paul perceives the culture he lives in is fleeting. He encourages believers to remember what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal.

This reminder by Paul intensely pushed the content of my artwork. How can I paint the physical as temporary and how can I paint the unseen? These questions demanded further research into other artists and the theme of the sublime. I want to paint an ephemeral landscape.”

Ashley is from Auburn, Ala. and currently resides in Eufaula. She works as an associate professor of visual art at Andrew College but continues to paint and draw in her free time.

Uneathered, Acrylic on Canvas, 25 x 23.5 inches, 2011 (Exhibit at the FSU MFA)

“Time and place are constant themes in my artwork. The drawings and paintings are inspired by local places, which give me a sense of location. I imagine what is unknown to my eyes into the artwork. The ephemeral landscape is not painted in its true form. The landscape transforms with moving colors, lines, and shapes. It is still identifiable, but it is transitioning into the unknown element. This element could be a geological event or a movement from the physical to the landscape’s inner spirit. My body of work conveys a spiritual longing inspired by the temporary nature of everyday surroundings.”

When asked why she is an artist, Ashley replies “It is not so much that I have to paint or draw. It is about being creative and true to myself. Being true to myself makes art a journey for me.”

Ashley has also used her craft to bless the lives of others. She painted this waterfall painting for me when I was going through a very dark time my junior year of college. It still hangs above my bed as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. To me, this painting is the springing forth of new life and hope. It is beautiful, colorful and active.

This August through October, two of Ashley’s paintings will be exhibited in the 26th Tallahassee International at Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts.

You can visit her website ashleykathleenbell.com for more information and to commission her work.

Rhythm and Yesterday’s Space, Acrylic on Canvas, 16.5 x 24 inches, 2011 ($900)

Ash & her hubby Wes.

week • end (n.)

week • end (n.)

1. The end of the week, esp. the period from Friday evening through Sunday evening.

2. A weekly respite from the stress of the work week which provides occasion for rest, long, meditative runs, visits to farmer’s markets, cookouts with friends, baking, pleasure reading and community in worship with fellow believers.

The second definition, provided by yours truly, captures my ideal weekend plan. Thankfully it also reflects this past weekend that turned out to be quite picturesque.

**In one word or phrase, share a description of your ideal weekend.**

Here is a pictorial view of a few of my weekend moments.

Had such a sweet visit from this little prissy miss and her preggo mama Laura.

Laura is having a boy at the end of September.

I know this photo of me and Kylie is really out of focus (thanks to my splendid cell camera), but I really like it anyway. I'm dressed in my yoga attire for a 90-minute session with Sarah. It was intense; I still feel like someone just punched me on either side of my ribcage, but we both persevered! So proud of Sarah.

Pepper Place Farmer's Market with Dana.

Live cooking demo.

I also enjoyed an evening at the Turner home, teaching the kiddos at church about how God is with us even in the storms of life, a long run, Father's Day brunch, and some reading from my summer booklist.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

My Father's Daughter

He opened the jar of pickles when no one else could.

He was the only one in the house who wasn't afraid to go into the basement by himself.

He cut himself shaving, but no one kissed it or got excited about it.

It was understood when it rained, he got the car and brought it around to the door.

He was dad: strong, fearless, and brave.

~Erma Bombeck

My father and I operate from opposite sides of the brain. He's a left-brained, detailed-oriented, hardworking, grounded, dependable engineer. I'm a right-brained, flighty, imaginative, pain-in-the-butt, creative artist-writer. Most of the time I think he is just dumbfounded that I can expend so many words in such a short amount of time without saying anything.

Yet, I have never, for a single moment, doubted his love for me and his desire to be the best father possible. He is a true gift from the Lord, and I am wholeheartedly grateful for him. Here are a few snapshots of us through the years.

The father of a daughter is nothing but a high-class hostage.

A father turns a stony face to his sons, berates them, shakes his antlers, paws the ground, snorts, runs them off into the underbrush, but when he has a daughter and she puts her arm over his shoulder and says, 'Daddy, I need to ask you something,' he is a pat of butter in a hot frying pan.

~Garrison Keillor

Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you!

Your One & Only,

Laura K.

Shrimp Salad with Fresh Oregano

Here’s a delicious shrimp salad adapted from a Cooking Light recipe that I recently prepared for a lunch for four. I added a few springs of chopped, fresh oregano for some extra flavor.

You’ll need:
2 qts. Water
¼ cup Old Bay Seasoning
2 lbs. unpeeled medium shrimp
½ cup finely chopped celery
½ cup finely chopped chives
¼ cup light mayo (or Veganaise)
2 TBSP lemon juice
¾ tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
¼ tsp. pepper
2 sprigs of oregano, finely chopped

• Bring water and ¼ cup Old Bay Seasoning to a boil in a Dutch Oven.
• Add shrimp and cook, stirring for two minutes or until shrimp turns pink. Drain.
• Pour shrimp into a large colander. Drain. Cool. Peel and devein.
• Chop shrimp to desired size for salad.
• Stir together celery and next five ingredients. Add shrimp.
• Cover and chill two hours.

I served this salad with rolls, salad, sweet potato fries and crab cakes.

It was a light, yet filling luncheon spread.

Happy Thursday! The weekend's almost here!

Fearless: Life in Africa

I have been extraordinarily blessed to have a plethora of godly examples in my life. Individuals who are not afraid to live lives less ordinary for the sake of the gospel.

Sarah Dunn is such a lady.

In a few short months, she, like my friend Kate, will be leaving behind all that is familiar because she believes the Lord has called her to minister to the Ugandan people.

Sarah is a compassionate, sincere and detailed-oriented woman, a successful architect for a local firm in Birmingham, and a completely devoted follower of Christ. Since I've known her, she has never failed to amaze me with her out-of-the-ordinary skills. Though she's slight of frame and meek of disposition, I’ve witnessed her man a tractor, start a campfire and lead a work crew. And somehow, she looks like a natural and is still every bit of a lady in the process! She’s pretty impressive.

Here’s a little of Sarah’s story, which, along with more on her plans as well as info on how to donate, can be located on her blog: http://dunnsar.wordpress.com/

As an architecture student at Auburn University, I discovered a Christian organization that utilizes the skills and education of architects and other design professionals. During the summer of 2002, I interned with that organization – Engineering Ministries International (eMi). While there, I visited and helped design an addition to an orphanage in Guatemala. The next year I completed my thesis project at the Rural Studio in rural west Alabama. After obtaining my architecture degree, I gained experience at an architecture firm in Birmingham, Alabama and completed requirements to become a registered architect.

Over the years, God has increased my desire to share the hope and love of Christ through the practical skills I’ve received as an architect. Building on my internship with eMi, I volunteered on short project trips to design a school in Kazakhstan, a clinic in Kenya, and a clinic/rescue center in Haiti. These short-term trips were instrumental in leading me to envision my life as a full-time staff architect with eMi. After much prayer and God’s work in my heart, I decided to follow God’s calling. I applied for a position and was accepted as a staff architect with the eMi East Africa located in Kampala, Uganda.

The support of my family, friends and church family is very encouraging to me. I am excited and honored to use this unique opportunity to help meet the physical needs of the poor and support other mission organizations. Serving with eMi is a small, yet tangible, way for me to share the love of Christ and make Him known.

I am excited to prayerfully and financially share in Sarah’s faith journey and hope to post updates on On.a.Whim throughout her tenure in Uganda.

Sarah and Kate, have both, by their life examples, been encouragements to me to push past my own earthly comforts, myopic nature and “knowns” to seek the Lord's will (not my own) in this life. I am currently praying for wisdom in where He is leading me to push past these boundaries and fears and live more fully for Him.

What about you? Have you been challenged spiritually in your life lately? It doesn’t have to necessary be in a call to the mission field. It could be in a new marriage, choosing to stay home your children, in a new job position, in singleness, in courage to share your faith. I would love to read your responses and think they would be an encouragement to others!

Please know how thankful I am for you and that, believe it or not, you are in my prayers. I want On.a.Whim to not only be an outlet to find recipes, silly stories and creative ideas, but also a place where you can be encouraged in your faith and share with others.

I’ll leave you with a pic of Sarah and I from two years ago. Enjoy the beginning of your week!

~Laura K.

Beekeeping & Giveaway Winner

This has been a busy Saturday morning complete with a photo shoot at Mt. Laurel's farmer's market for the next issue of Shelbyco magazine. One of my favorite aspects of being a journalist is the truly amazing and unique individuals I have the opportunity to meet.

And today that person was Mrs. LindaKaye Carmack, registered Alabama beekeeper and co-owner with husband Jimmy of Pure Alabama Honey. The Mrs. and Mr. split Saturday mornings selling their delicious homegrown spun honey at various local farmer's markets. It was a delight to hear LindaKaye share about her passion for beekeeping. Turns out, it was through beekeeping that she met Jimmy six years ago. They even got married in their bee suits!

Here are some pictures I snapped of LindaKaye's booth.

They will be featured in the July/August issue of Shelbyco alongside the goat cheese appetizer posted last week.

Now, on to other matters of business. Thanks for all the responses for this month's giveaway. I truly enjoyed learning what everyone is reading this summer. The lucky lady whose name is drawn will receive the following part memoir, part cookbook which I've loved reading and rereading:

+

An Anthropologie Homegrown Monogram Mug with the winner's first-name initial.

So, you wanna know who she is??

I'll give you a hint...

CONGRATS MRS. GALEN JONES HALE!

Here's a neat little story about how I know Galen. We were actually best friends in middle school until her family was relocated to Germany. Turns out, she's been in the same city as me for the past five years, but we were completely unaware. We recently reconnected after Galen found me on Facebook and then started following On.a.Whim.

Congratulations Galen; we'll have to meet up for coffee or a walk/jog so you can claim your prize!

*To all you other lovely ladies - thanks again for taking part in the giveaway, and please try again next month when On.a.Whim will be giving away something that will help you stay, cool, refreshed and healthy through the summer heat.

On.a.Whim Summer Booklist + Giveaway

Read all the way through this post to find out how you could enjoy On.a.Whim's June Giveaway!

I am excited to report that I read – from cover to cover – each of the spring booklist selections+ additional ones! Eric Metaxas’ biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer was absolutely stunning. Bonhoeffer’s life, family, devotion to God and experiences are unparallel to any others I have known. You cannot read this book and not be changed. I’ve selected his notable, The Cost of Discipleship, in the hope of gleaning more from his exemplary life.

John Steinbeck’s literary classic, East of Eden, made it’s way into my April reading, and I found myself not wanting to say goodbye to the Trask family. So, for my summer novel selection, I’m going with The Grapes of Wrath, and I’m inviting my Grandmother Marlene to read along with me. It’s always nice to have a discussion partner.

Am loving this vintage book jacket image!

Speaking of reading discussion partners – I am in a summer book club with six other girls. Our June selection is Jonathan Safran Foer’s Everything is Illuminated. I’m pretty excited about our little book club and the opportunity to read a book from a previously unknown-by-me author. Stay tuned for more book club updates!

I began John Piper’s classic Desiring God while at Auburn, but am now planning wanting to absorb it in its entirety.

In the month of May, I rekindled an old fondness for Elisabeth Elliot and read through my friend Rebecca’s copy of Passion & Purity in a week and a half. Within those pages are so many truths regarding biblical courtship and submission to Christ’s authority in our dating relationships. I was humbled, challenged and encouraged; so much so that I’ve already plowed through the book she dedicated to her daughter Valerie on biblical manhood and womanhood – Let Me Be a Woman.

I highly recommend both of these. In a time when gender identity, relationships and is dumbed down to the culture of the day, Elliot candidly reminds us of God’s enduring plan for his children regarding our sexuality and relationships.

Why wouldn't I want to read "the classic guide to intelligent reading?!"

A beautiful novel by a true Minnesotan. Only heard great things about this one!

How about you? What books are you planning to enjoy this summer while you’re at the beach, at home or on the go? I’d love to hear from you!

**Submit your response, and you’ll be eligible to win one of my all time favorite books + an On.a.Whim treat! Leave a comment by this Friday, June 10^th to be eligible to win!**

Happy Reading On.a.Whim Friends!

Announcement! Announcement!

I have some exciting news friends - On.a.Whim is now going to print! As a part of Shelby County's new business and lifestyle magazine, shelbyco, On.a.Whim will be featured in each issue as the Home & Garden column.

ABOUT THE MAGAZINE: Shelbyco partners with the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce as its official magazine and is mailed to the most active business owners and households inside Shelby County. Shelby County is not only the fastest growing market in the state but is one of the top 5 in the entire country. Shelbyco has a fresh and upscale design that will allow any size company to position itself as a leader in its market while the circulation allows you to target the most active buyers in the state.

Circulation breakdown

• 2,142 Business Owners & Chamber Members
• 861 Waiting Rooms & Lobbies
• 8,997 Active & Influential Residents
• Total Circulation – 12,000

So what does this mean for you, the loyal On.a.Whim readers?

MORE CONTENT!

MORE RECIPES!

MORE GIVEAWAYS!

I'll also be opening up opportunities to advertise on On.a.Whim (the blog) in the near future. If you or someone you know is interested in placing an ad on On.a.Whim, please email onawhimbird@gmail.com.

To read more of the June/July Issue, you can visit www.shelbycomagazine.com.

I'm really excited about this new opportunity to expand On.a.Whim and hope you'll continue to read and share the journey with me!

Con Buena Esperanza,

Laura K.